by Russell Fleur F. Gallego
Imus, Cavite
6 January 2022
As the pilgrim image of the Black Nazarene bid farewell to the devotees in the Diocese of Imus on January 6, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over the 6:30 a.m. Farewell Mass in the Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of Our Lady of the Pillar.
In his homily, Cardinal Tagle stressed that as followers of Jesus the Nazarene, we must always exemplify God instead of ourselves and when we love God we must love our neighbours in spite of how difficult it is to love them.
Cardinal Tagle also emphasized that we should be careful not to boast of what we are doing to show our love for God because we when we love we should not be boastful. The Cardinal also said that people love the Black Nazarene because we see the love of God, the love that is willing to help the people who are suffering, the love that Jesus showed it while He was carrying the cross.
All who are carrying a 'heavy cross' can come to Jesus the Nazarene who is always there even if the lowest part of life when the cross weighs us down. Rev. Msgr. Ruel Castañeda, Vicar General; Rev. Fr. Antonio Laureta, SThL, Rector of Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary; Rev. Fr. Rommel Lagata, Parochial Vicar of Imus Cathedral; and Rev. Fr. Michael Ceazar Dela Cruz, Spiritual Director of Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary, joined Cardinal Tagle during the Mass.
Imus
Cardinal Tagle is a native of Imus and became the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Imus before becoming the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila. As archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila, he was always the homilist during Traslacion Masses held in Quirino Grandstand.
The Dalaw Nazareno in the Diocese of Imus was from January 5 – 6, 2022. The image was first welcomed in the Diocesan Seminary of Our Lady of the Pillar in Buhay na Tubig in Imus Cavite. The Welcome Mass for the pilgrim image of the Nazareno was presided by Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista D.D, bishop of the Diocese of Imus at 11 a.m.
Before the pilgrim image was transferred to Imus Cathedral at around 3:30 p.m., Rev. Fr. Randy De Jesus, Spiritual Director of Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary, celebrated a Mass. He also joined the motorcade in transferring the pilgrim image, which passed through Buhay na Tubig road to Aguinaldo Highway going to Imus Cathedral.
Quiapo Church
A 5:30 p.m., Mass was held at the Imus Cathedral, presided by Rev. Fr. Daniel Voltaire “Danichi” Hui, parochial vicar of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church). In his homily, Fr. Danichi said that Quiapo Church would follow the directive of the IATF that no Traslacion will be held this year. Fr. Danichi also expressed that despite feeling sad for the decision of the IATF (the Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19), they have moral and social obligations. Not following means being away from what is right and God does not want that. However, despite the order of the IATF, livestreamed Masses will push through.
Later that night, an 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mass was held. The 8 p.m. Mass was led by Rev. Fr. King Eleazar Peñaranda with the other young clergies of the Diocese of Imus and the 10pm Mass was led by Rev. Fr. Alain Manalo, Superintendent of the Diocese of Imus Catholic Education System Inc. (DICES).
Traslacion
Traslacion is the annual feast of the Black Nazarene that is held every January 9. Traditionally, a weeklong celebration starts on December 31 during the Thanksgiving Procession. It will later then be followed by a procession in honour of the Motherhood of Mary and the Holy Name of Jesus on January 1. A replica procession is held on January 7. The vigil for Traslacion is held on January 8 in the Quirino Grandstand. The Traslacion starts at the break of dawn on January 9. The procession starts from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. In preparation for the Traslacion, inter – agency meetings and planning by the different committees are done 6 months prior to the said event.
Photo: Imus Cathedral Holy Mass Livestream